The following statement was issued today by
the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the
heavy shelling, for the second consecutive day, of Al Khadra General Hospital
in Tripoli. He also condemns the continued attacks on medical personnel,
hospitals and medical facilities, particularly at a time when they are critical
to prevent the spread of the COVID‑19 pandemic.

The Secretary-General reminds all parties
that medical personnel, hospitals and medical facilities are protected under
international humanitarian law and that attacks on them may constitute war
crimes.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call
for a global ceasefire and a humanitarian pause in Libya in order to save lives
and enable the Libyan authorities and their partners to devote all their energies
to stopping the spread of COVID-19.